The analysis of ballistic capabilities for countering disturbances associated with temporary emergency electric propulsion shutdown

The paper analyzes the possibility for countering ballistic perturbations of the interplanetary transfer trajectory of the spacecraft with electric propulsion (EP) associated with the temporary impossibility of the normal use of the EP in phases of the heliocentric transfer. The main result of the present study is the method for the determination of a new nominal trajectory, at any point of which the allowed duration of the emergency shutdown of electric propulsion is large enough. The numerical analysis is given for one of the possible scenarios of spacecraft injection into the operational heliocentric orbit for solar research.     

Optimization of the interplanetary trajectories of spacecraft with a solar electric propulsion power plant of minimal power

The problem of optimizing the interplanetary trajectories of a spacecraft (SC) with a solar electric propulsion system (SEPS) is examined. The problem of investigating the permissible power minimum of the solar electric propulsion power plant required for a successful flight is studied. Permissible ranges of thrust and exhaust velocity are analyzed for the given range of flight time and final mass of the spacecraft. The optimization is performed according to Portnyagin’s maximum principle, and the continuation method is used for reducing the boundary problem of maximal principle to the Cauchy problem and to study the solution/ parameters dependence. Such a combination results in the robust algorithm that reduces the problem of trajectory optimization to the numerical integration of differential equations by the continuation method.     

On the problem of designing small spacecraft with electric propulsion power plants for studying minor bodies of the Solar System

Aspects of the design of small spacecraft with electric propulsion power plants for investigating minor bodies in the Solar System are examined. The results of design and ballistic analysis of transfer into an orbit of terrestrial asteroids using electric propulsion thrusters are given. The possible concept design of the spacecraft is determined and the structure of a small spacecraft with an electric propulsion power plant is presented. Parameters of the electric propulsion power plant of a small spacecraft for a flight to the minor bodies of the Solar System are estimated.     

Ionospheric conductivities, electric fields and currents associated with auroral substorms measured by the EISCAT radar

E-region electron density profiles with high resolution in time and altitude (5 s and 2 km, respectively) measured by the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar are used to examine the conductivity changes during substorm growth, onset and expansion phases for seven substorms occurring in the local evening sector. The measurements are related to electric fields and neutral winds measured by the radar, to ground magnetometer and riometer records, and to optical features, including the westward-travelling surge and auroral bulge. Auroral features are identified using all-sky camera photographs and images from the Viking satellite. Conductances and electric fields in the zone of diffuse aurora corresponding to the westward substorm electrojet are found to be consistent with existing models. Conductances in the discrete auroral arcs marking the expanding edge of the substorm are found to be much higher, and electric fields rather lower, than previously assumed. The magnetic signatures of the discrete arcs are found to be best explained by Hall and Pedersen currents driven by a southward neutral wind, as is observed by the radar. The highest conductances observed, with Hall and Pedersen conductances reaching 120 and 48 S, respectively, are found to be associated with arcs appearing at the southern edge of activity in the vicinity of a westward-travelling surge.     

An estimation of the electric potential field generated by the diurnal atmospheric tide with the first negative mode excited in the lower ionosphere

The electric potential field in the ionosphere, which is generated by the atmospheric tide with the diurnal first negative mode excited in the lower ionosphere, is estimated. An equivalent mode is used instead of the exact mode in the following approximations : (i) the horizontal structure of the energy input is composed of the first two terms of the series expansion of the Hough function with the associated Legendre functions, and (ii) the Coriolis force is assumed to be constant in the equation of motion and the value appropriate to colatitude 45 being used. It is found that the equivalent mode gives a good approximation of the exact mode at midlatitudes in the neutral atmosphere. The result shows that the oscillation with its temperature variation of about 40 K in the excitation region generates the horizontal electric potential field of 10^?3 V/m in magnitude. The horizontal pattern of the field distribution is similar to that estimated by many authors. The maximum vertical electric current is about 3 × 10^?9 A/m² in the dynamo layer. It is found that the “virtual current,” introduced by Volland (1970) as a vertical current in and above the dynamo layer, in order to obtain a better agreement between theory and observations of the location of the diurnal symmetric Sq current vortex, is actually to be expected. The vertical current is very small, but this small steady current is necessary for the electric potential field of the dynamo layer to be mapped into the magnetosphere along the lines of the geomagnetic field.